Long-horned grasshopper

Systematic position. The long-horned grasshopper (Aiolopus longicornis) belongs to the order Orthoptera and the family Acrididae. As a member of the grasshopper family, this species possesses significant physiological flexibility, allowing it to adapt to various environmental conditions and thrive in agricultural landscapes where food sources are abundant.

Host crops and damage. This species is a polyphagous pest that primarily impacts cereal crops such as wheat, barley, and maize, as well as pasture grasses. Both nymphs and adults feed on plant tissues, primarily the leaves. Severe infestations lead to extensive defoliation, which stunts plant growth and reduces the overall yield potential significantly during the vegetative stage.

Biology and life cycle. The species undergoes incomplete metamorphosis. Eggs are laid in the soil within protective pods (oothecae) to survive the winter. Upon hatching in the spring, nymphs emerge and feed ravenously on succulent young vegetation. They pass through several instars before reaching the adult stage, at which point their mobility increases, allowing them to migrate across large areas of farmland.

Pest impact. The severity of the damage is directly linked to the population density per square meter. Large swarms can devastate entire fields in a short period, leaving crops vulnerable to secondary infections and environmental stress. Early detection of high population density is critical to preventing large-scale economic losses during the peak growing season.

Control measures. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is essential for controlling Aiolopus longicornis. Cultural practices include plowing fallow lands to disrupt egg pods in the soil and managing weed populations that serve as shelter for the pest. When populations exceed economic thresholds, timely application of authorized insecticides, particularly during the nymphal stages, provides the most effective control results.